Cyberattack Forces Atchison County, Kansas, Office Closures

Atchison County offices in Atchison, Kansas, will remain closed to the public through Tuesday, March 18, 2025, following a cybersecurity attack that disrupted the county's computer network. Officials first disclosed the incident on Sunday, March 16. In a statement, county officials assured residents that emergency services, including 911, remain fully operational. The county is working with nationally recognized cybersecurity and data forensics consultants to investigate the attack and restore services safely.

This incident highlights the persistent threat of cyberattacks on local government entities. In October 2023, the Kansas judicial branch suffered a significant cyberattack by foreign criminals who stole data and threatened to release it on the dark web. The attack resulted in a five-week disruption of court operations statewide. The recurrence of such events underscores the urgent need for stronger cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive government systems and maintain public services.